The National League for Democracy's landslide victory in November 2020 catalyzed the Myanmar military's decision to overthrow the democratically elected government on February 1st, 2021, but the structural causes of democratic decline run deeper. Ye Myo Hein, a Public Policy Fellow with the Wilson Center, explores the causes leading to Myanmar's military takeover, from the limitations of its democratic transition to the role of an increasingly autocratic neighborhood. As he argues, more should be done to restore democracy in Myanmar.
About the Author
Ye Myo Hein
Visiting Scholar, US Institute of Peace; Former Executive Director, Tagaung Institute of Political Studies
Asia Program
The Asia Program promotes policy debate and intellectual discussions on U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific as well as political, economic, security, and social issues relating to the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region. Read more
